When people think of the Canary Island of Tenerife, images of booze and beaches are often the first things that spring to mind. However, there is much more to this visitor attraction than sand and shots. With a little planning, people can experience the hidden side of this beautiful, sun-soaked paradise in the Atlantic.

Festivals

For example, it’s possible to book holidays to Tenerife to coincide with the various festivals that take place there. The island is known for its fiestas and celebrations and it stages an impressive calendar of events. Examples include the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival, which takes place in June, and the Heineken Jazz Festival in July. It’s also worth watching out for the Dia de la Cruz or ‘Day of the Cross’ festival in June. During this event, towns are filled with crosses covered in flowers.

However, perhaps the best known of Tenerife’s annual events is the Festival de Música de Canarias, or ‘Music Festival of the Canary Islands’. This celebration of classical music takes place every January and it attracts visitors from around the globe.

Art

If it’s art you’re after, Tenerife won’t disappoint either. The island is home to a number of galleries showcasing an eclectic mixture of works. In the capital Santa Cruz you’ll find the Municipal Museum of Fine Arts and La Recova Arts Centre.

The great outdoors

Meanwhile, when you want to stretch your legs on this picturesque island, you can explore its 350 kilometres of coastline, check out tropical forest walks and climb the Pico del Teide.

At 3,718 metres high, this is Spain’s tallest peak. The lunar-like appearance of the volcanic formation is a wonder to behold. To get a real flavour of this part of the island, you can drive yourself along the winding roads up the mountain, stopping en route in scenic spots such as the village of Vilaflor.

You can also take a jetfoil from Los Cristianos to the beautiful island of La Gomera. With a laurel forest, banana plantations and magnificent ravines, this is the perfect place to hike or enjoy a relaxing swim.

These are just some of the more unusual activities you can try if you escape the touristy resorts that dominate the south of Tenerife.

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